Rob Bailey was an unlucky cricketer. One of the more talented batsmen of his generation, he acquitted himself well enough on debut in the final Test of 1988 against the fearsome West Indies to secure a place on that winter's tour to India, a trip that was subsequently cancelled for political reasons. He started the summer of 1989 poorly, but his form returned in time for him to win selection for the 1989-90 tour to the Caribbean. Called up for the third Test, he made a pair, and in the next Test received a shocking decision, given out caught behind off Curtly Ambrose when the ball brushed his hip. He made a dogged 42 in the fifth Test in Antigua against a barrage of fast, short bowling but never received another chance in either Tests or ODIs despite several impressive seasons for Northanptonshire in the early 1990s. Bailey was a courageous batsman who enjoyed taking on quick bowlers, and despite a short backlift he hit the ball extremely hard. He was also a useful offspinner, a solid fielder, and a loyal player - in 1989 he turned down the offer of a place on Mike Gatting's rebel tour to South Africa. At the end of 1999 Northamptonshire didn't renew his contract and he moved to Derbyshire where he continued to make a valuable contribution to a county in crisis. He retired at the end of 2001 and joined the reserve umpires list. "Bailey is generally regarded as one of the finest men to have played county cricket in the past 30 years," wrote Michael Henderson. "He was a very good batsman too, in his palmy days a most accomplished strokeplayer for Northamptonshire." He was appointed to the full list of first-class umpires for the 2006 season.
Wisden Cricinfo staff

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